Liverpool Faces Fenerbahce in Champions League Matchup in Istanbul
Liverpool aims to maintain its perfect record in the Champions League as it takes on Turkish side Fenerbahce in Istanbul this evening, with kick-off scheduled for 5:45 PM (live on TNT Sports and HBO Max).
In a twist of fate, former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt, who played for the Reds for six years, now leads Fenerbahce as caretaker manager following the departure of Ismail Kartal just a week ago. Liverpool looks to bounce back from a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Arsenal and secure a fourth consecutive victory in the Champions League, having already claimed wins over Atletico Madrid, LASK, and Villarreal while netting 12 goals.
Fenerbahce, on the other hand, seeks its first victory of the tournament after drawing with Roma and Slavia Prague, coupled with a significant 6-0 loss to Aston Villa. As a result, online bookmakers position them as considerable underdogs on their home turf.
This match marks Fenerbahce’s return to the main draw of the Champions League for the first time since the 2008/09 season, having failed to advance past qualifying nine times since. Although this will be the first encounter between the two teams, Fenerbahce has faced English opponents 12 times, achieving four victories, along with two draws and six losses.
Despite Liverpool’s historical struggles in Turkey, where they have only won once in their last eight matches, they are optimistic. This lone victory came in 2010 during a Europa League qualifier against Trabzonspor. Their recent track record in Turkey includes three straight 1-0 defeats against Besiktas and Galatasaray, but Fenerbahce’s poor form, which extends to no wins in their last ten Champions League matches, gives Liverpool an edge.
Liverpool enters the match with just one victory from their last five encounters and, according to betting sites, they are favored to win at odds of 4/7.
The Reds have not had a drawn result in their last 46 European matches, recording 32 victories against 14 defeats. Expectations lean towards a Liverpool victory by a substantial margin, prompting bets on them to win by two (15/4) or three goals (13/2), with the safest wager being on an away win coupled with over three goals.
In player news, Fenerbahce’s Mason Greenwood remains uncertain due to illness, while Nathan Ake and Peprah Oppong are ruled out. Liverpool will miss long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong.
Fenerbahce is projected to field Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Demir, Brown; Kante, Guendouzi; Aydin, Kahveci, Akturkoglu; Muriqi. Liverpool is expected to start Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
As the teams prepare for this anticipated clash, both sides will strive to secure a crucial win in this early Champions League fixture.
